Is Occupational Rehabilitation Related to Women’s Health?

On International Women’s Day know how to get rid of pelvic pain during pregnancy and birth process. The specialty of some occupational therapists in women’s health looks like a natural development. Occupational therapists are concerned with how our daily activities affect our health. This focus has led some OTs to concentrate on therapeutic techniques that exactly address some of the health challenges that women face. Occupational rehabilitation is the practices of returning injured workers to a level of work activity.

Urinary Incontinence/Pelvic Pain/Pelvic Health:

There are many types of urinary incontinence – a common reason of all of the types are a weakness of the pelvic floor. An OT studying in pelvic floor therapy can help you isolate and then strengthen the weakened muscles. Along with exercise, an OT can take a holistic look at your life from nutrition to your posture and how these influences your pelvic health.

Another sign of a pelvic floor disorder can be pelvic pain. The pain can range from the behinds to the lower stomach. Again, an OT can take a holistic view of the cause of the pain and how you can address it.

Prenatal/Postnatal Health:

Pelvic health issues can be related to or worsened by pregnancy and the birth process. Thus, an occupational therapist, who is involved in prenatal and postnatal care, often has skills for addressing the pelvic floor.

But, in addition to pelvic floor therapy, some OTs also learn physical activity in multiple other areas related to prenatal/postnatal health, like women’s mental health, breastfeeding, and prenatal/postnatal exercise.

Prenatal:

·         Recover core stability

·         Decrease low back and pelvic pain

·         Increase flexibility and strength

·         Learn relaxation strategies and breathing techniques

·         Manage anxiety and depression

      ·     Improve sleep and increase energy levels

Postnatal:

·         Improve posture and alignment

·         Facilitate bonding between mom and baby

·         Build core strength and function

·         Safely return to exercise and sport

·         Learn effective strategies for rehabilitation

·         Learn age-appropriate baby-calming and play-based activities

·     Inspire a healthy feeding relationship with baby